This dissertation focuses on three manuscripts all related to bolstering science achievement through recommendations from the National Research Council (NRC) regarding the teaching and learning of science. The manuscripts address meeting the NRC's call to incorporate curriculum and assessment that lead to more in-depth knowledge that can be…

This Ph.D. dissertation is a qualitative case study of a local discourse about teacher preparation in Finland. I have used structuration theory to analyze thirteen semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Participants were faculty and students in a graduate-level program preparing science teachers for upper secondary schools. Findings are presented…